Folding stereoscope



Nov. 16, 1943. R. N. DENNIS FOLDING STEREOSCOPE Filed April 29, 1941INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT O FFICEFOLDING STEREOSCOPE Robert N. Dennis, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application April29, 1941, Serial No. 390,900

2 Claims.

This invention relates to ,a stereoscope for use in viewing photographs,portraits, pictures, and transparencies, such as color plates, andrelates more particularly to a stereoscope of the folding type.

Such stereoscopes have heretofore been provided in the form of albumswith flexible leaves bound together in book-form and each carryingpictures or photographs adapted to be viewed through lenses in foldingcarriers.

One object of the present invention is to provide a folding stereoscopehaving a base in the form of a tray or shallow box adapted to serve as acontainer for the lenses and for one or more rigid plates or panelscarrying the pictures.

Another object is to provide improved means whereby the picture-carryingpanel and/or the lens-carrying member or members may be retained atright-angles to the base in proper position for the viewing of thepictures through the lenses.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described,illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims, it being understood that various changes in theform and constructional details may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a folding stereoscopehaving a plurality of picture-carrying panels with one of them inposition for the viewing of its pictures through the lenses;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view partly in section showing thelens-carrying member; Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3 of Fig.2; and Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view showing the hinge parts ofadjacent picture-carrying panels.

The stereoscope shown is formed with a tray or shallow box 8 havinghinged thereto a similar tray or shallow box 9. The upturned side edgesIn of the tray 8 and the similar edges ll of the tray 9 are adapted toengage or abut each other when the case is closed, and the upturned edgel2 at the front of the tray 8 is adapted to similarly engage or abut theedge l3 of the tray 9, so that a dust-proof closure is provided when thecase is closed. The side edges l and II are formed with extensions M forthe reception of a hinge-pin l5 connecting the trays 8 and 9, and thepin l5 also serves as a pivot for a plurality of rigidpreferablymetalpanels I6 (five in number in the example shown). One of the panelsI8 is formed with a central sleeve part I! integral therewith andadapted to engage frictionally around the. pin l5, while the otherpanels I6 are each formed with a pair of shorter sleeve parts I8frictionally engaging around the same pin 15, so that any one of thepanels I6 may be moved into position at right-angles to the tray 8 sothat the pictures I9 thereon are in position for viewing through theproperly spaced lenses 20, each of which is mounted in a bracket 2|having its lower end bent around a bar 22 and having its extreme end 23accommodated in a slot 24 in said bar 22, so that the lens-carryingbrackets 2| may be moved towards or away from each other to suit thespacing of the eyes of the observer. The bar 22 is formed with reducedends 25 adapted to turn in sockets provided in the side edges H) of thetray 8 and a coil spring 26 is attached to the edge I0 and to the bar 22in such manner that the brackets 2| are normally held in the raisedposition against the front edge l2 as shown at Fig. 3. v

The case is provided with any suitable or convenient form of catch orfastening 21 (Fig. 1) and if so desired spring means may be provided fornormally retaining the trays 8, 9 in the extended or aligned positionshown in Fig. 1. When the stereoscope is in use the panels l6 may beconveniently turned one after another into viewing position and thefrictional engagement of the sleeves ii, I 8 with the pin l5 holds thevarious panels in'proper position. To close the case the lens-carryingbrackets 2| are turned downwardly against the'action of the spring 26,and the trays 8, 9 are folded upon eachother and are secured by thefastening 21, so, that the pictures and the lenses are completelyenclosed and protected.

Although the drawing and the above specification disclose the best modein which I have contemplated embodying my invention, I desire to be inno way limited to the details of such disclosure, for, in the furtherpractical application of my invention, many changes in form and inconstructional details may be made as circumstances require orexperience suggests without departing from the spirit of the inventionwithin the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A folding stereoscope comprising a base with upstanding edges, ahinge member carried thereby, a plurality of rigid panels eachindividually mounted on said hinge member with friction means wherebyeach panel is individually retained at right angles to said base,pictures carried by said panels, lenses mounted on said base, spring andstop means for retaining said lenses at right-angles to said base, meanspermitting adjustment of the lenses towards or away from each other, anda cover having means for engaging said upstanding edges to form adust-proof closure for the lenses and the pictures after the lenses havebeen folded upon the base and the said panels have been foldeddownwardly upon the lenses.

2; A folding stereoscope comprising two similar tray-like members, ahinge pin forming a pivotal 10 or away from each other.

connection between said members, a series of rigid picture-carryingpanels, extensions on said panels forming sleeves engaging frictionallyaround said hinge pin, a, pair of lens-carrying brackets, a bar mountedin said base and carrying said brackets, spring means for holding thebrackets normally in position for the viewing through said lenses ofpictures on a panel at right-angles to saidbase, and means permittingadjustment of the lens-carrying brackets towards ROBERT N. bENNIs.

